The Diversity Environment at Keio University
2025/02/28
On April 1, 2018, Keio University established the Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion to build an environment where faculty, staff, and students of all levels can respect each other's individuality, recognize diverse values, and live cooperatively, as well as to promptly address issues related to the acceptance of diversity. This office, which established its charter the following year, is a university-wide organization that encompasses everything from affiliated schools to the university, graduate schools, and the university hospital. It aims to lead the formation of a symbiotic "kyosei" society by promoting projects related to work-life balance, barrier-free access, diversity, and community engagement.
Keio University uses its own coined term, "kyosei environment," to describe its "diversity environment." This term embodies the philosophy of realizing a symbiotic "kyosei" society where people from diverse backgrounds respect and cooperate with one another. The university aims to achieve this "kyosei environment" by positioning its environmental improvements and awareness-raising activities related to the four aforementioned themes from a broader and more inclusive perspective.
Under this philosophy, the university is developing multifaceted initiatives. In "Work-Life Balance," it provides support for childcare (KIDS) and nursing care (KIND), support for balancing personal concerns and work (CARE), and comprehensive childcare support programs for nurses, midwives, and students. Furthermore, in collaboration with the university hospital and other facilities, it has established the "Karada Sodan-shitsu" (Health Consultation Room) as part of the "Breeze Project" for health maintenance, where individuals can consult with specialists, and also holds regular seminars.
Under "Barrier-Free," it provides support for students and faculty/staff with disabilities. Specifically for students, it has established the "Office of Accessible Education" and is developing a university-wide backup system called the "@ease Project," which also includes peer support from students known as @ease Supporters. Regarding "Diversity," it is promoting environmental improvements through collaboration with related institutions in Japan and abroad and through what is called the Pride Commitment. In April 2023, it established a basic policy for promoting DEI, creating safe spaces and enhancing consultation systems. And for "Community Engagement," it supports projects initiated based on proposals from the Keio University Student Conference, having realized suggestions such as the installation of water coolers on all campuses.
As society becomes more global, complex, and diverse, what is required is a "broad perspective," a "sincere attitude," and a "generous heart"—in other words, integrity. Under the philosophy of the "kyosei environment," which offers a uniquely broad and new perspective, Keio aims to create an environment where diverse people and ideas are equally respected and accepted, and an environment where people respect and cooperate with one another.
(Erika Kuroda, Administrative Director, Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion)
*Affiliations, job titles, etc., are as of the time of this publication.